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Name: Roger Beckett
Location: Kensington, London, United Kingdom
Size: 755 square feet
Years lived in: 10 years, owned

Roger's home is located on a picturesque London street a stone's throw from Kensington Palace. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you've wandered onto a film set, or perhaps stepped into the pages of a favorite Victorian novel. So it was with surprise and delight that I stepped past the intimidating façade to find a bright, modern and eclectic home inside.

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Roger has called this one-bedroom flat home for ten years, though he now splits his time between London and Amsterdam, where his partner lives, as well as their shared home in Spain. This love of travel is obvious in Roger's eclectic style, which skips seamlessly from East to West, and incorporates modern pieces, antiques and mid-century classics. Color and collections (ceramics, glassware, art) abound, though the overall look is serene.

Roger's background is in magazines, and he served as publishing director of both Design Week and Creative Review in London before leaving the publishing world to pursue other interests. He now juggles several creative roles. Having recently finished an interior design course at the prestigious Chelsea College of Art, Roger has already landed his first design job, re-branding a chain of optician's shops in Southeast England. He's also designed a range of furniture for UK manufacturer sofa.com, which will be released later this month.

With such similar interests, you can imagine that we had a lot to talk about on the day I visited Roger's home. We discussed well-known designers, the merits of various European cities, and Roger even clued me into the best international flea markets to visit. Of course, this was when the conversation wasn't focused on his weird and wonderful collections (an antique blood-letting bowl as part of a table vignette, anyone?) or stories about his lucky furniture finds over the years. Would you believe he found that stunning Art Deco desk on a London street nearly thirty years ago? He had to call a friend to help him bring it home on the bus!

The only mild disappointment about the day was that Roger's pride and joy, his garden, was perhaps not at its photo-worthy best in mid-February. Here's hoping I get invited back for a tour update in the summer!

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: A mix of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Inspiration: Northern European Design.

Favorite Element: At the moment- the collection of white German ceramics in the living room.

Biggest Challenge: Finding more of them!

What Friends Say: "Love it!"

Biggest Embarrassment: Setting fire to the wooden kitchen worktop in the first week.

Proudest DIY: The garden.

Biggest Indulgence: Wishbone chairs.

Best Advice: Do it as soon as you can — it's your home. Make it yours.

Resources of Note:

ENTRY

    • Flooring (throughout flat, except kitchen/dining room/bathroom): Crucial Trading Chocolate Sisal
    • Console table: 1950's Italian
    • Blue ceramics: 1950's Danish

LIVING ROOM

    • Paint: Farrow & Ball Strong White, matt finish
    • Sofas: B&B Italia
    • Lounge chair and ottoman: Eames
    • Occasional table: 1950's Danish
    • Desk: Art Deco, from William Whitley London (but found on the street!)
    • Rug: Uzbek kilim
    • Floor lamp: TMM from Santa and Cole

BEDROOM

    • Wallpaper: Acoba range by Elitis
    • Chest of drawers: 1960's, originally a dining room credenza
    • Built-in wardrobe: Poliform
    • Bedside lamps: Costanza

DINING ROOM

    • Table and chairs: Hans J. Wegner "Wishbone" series (CH24)
    • Side cupboard: bespoke
    • Pendant light: Luceplan Costanza Suspension Light

Thanks, Roger!

(Images: Eleanor Büsing)

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